More than a difference in definition

This might be funny if it wasn’t so serious. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus apparently believes that his, and his party’s, opposition to gay marriage doesn’t have anything to do with “dignity and respect” for couples. In fact, according to him, the idea of marriage equality really doesn’t have anything to do with civil rights at all. Rather his opposition to gay marriage simply is a matter of a difference in definition.

“I don’t think it’s a matter of civil rights. I think it’s just a matter of whether or not we’re going to adhere to something that’s been historical and religious and legal in this country for many, many years,” Priebus said. “I mean, marriage has to have a definition, and we just happen to believe it’s between a man and woman.”

Priebus seems to be saying that it only makes sense to keep doing something we’ve done for as long as we have, especially since it doesn’t really matter according to him. It’s just a definition, nothing to get worked up about. Which is easy for someone to say who isn’t affected by the issue personally. And he is quick to say that he supports equal rights, just not marriage rights.